This was [the result] for the descendants of Reuben, Israel's firstborn. According to the records of their paternal families, [this was] the number of individual names for males over 20 years old, all fit for service.

Put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of Testimony, all its furniture, and everything pertaining to it. They shall carry the Tabernacle and all its furniture, and they will serve in it. They shall [therefore] camp around the Tabernacle.

The Levites, however, shall camp around the Tabernacle of Testimony, so that there will not be any divine anger directed against the Israelites. It shall be the Levites who safeguard the trust of the Tabernacle of Testimony.

The Israelites did all that God commanded Moses, [and] they did it exactly.

Commentary:

first day of the second month According to most authorities, this was 1 lyyar, two weeks after Passover (cf. Seder Olam 8). However, one source apparently indicates that is was 1 Marcheshvan, before the Tabernacle was erected, and that this is the count mentioned in Exodus 30:12, 38:26 (BeMidbar Rabbah 1:10; Hadar Zekenim). See Numbers 1:2.

Take a census of the entire Israelite community According to most authorities, this was a second census, the first having been taken before the Tabernacle was made; see Exodus 30:12, 38:26 (Rashi on Exodus 30:15,16; Ralbag; Josephus, Antiquities 3:7:4). While the first census was to determine the population of Israel as a whole , this was to determine the population of each tribe (Baaley Tosafoth). However, some sources appear to indicate that there was only one census (Tanchuma, Ki Thisa 9; see Numbers 1:1). See Numbers 1:46.

a tally Some say that this was done with a half shekel, as in Exodus 30:13, 38:26 (Rashi; Midrash Aggadah). According to others, however, this census was made by name lists, where every Israelite was listed separately (Ralbag; Shaar HaPesukim; Adereth Eliahu; cf. Lekach Tov).

fit for service Some say for military service (Saadia; Rashi). some say that this was meant to exclude those who were physically disabled (Midrash HaGadol). According to others, tzava does not denote a military army, but the community as a whole, and 'going out to tzava' denotes those who are full-fledged members of the community (Ramban; Hakethav VeHaKabbalah; see Numbers 4:2): It may also denote all who had participated in the building of the Tabernacle (see Exodus 38:8).

603,550 The number is the same as that in Exodus 38:26. Some say that the population had stabilized, with deaths being approximately equal to the number of men celebrating their 20th birthday (Rashi on Exodus 30:15,16). According to others, age was determined by years beginning in Tishrei (Rosh HaShanah), and these were the same people counted in Exodus. From this we see that as long as the Tabernacle was being built, there were no deaths (Lekach Tov). See Numbers 1:1, 1:2.

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